TAVARES — The Lake County Sales Surtax Oversight Advisory Committee met April 19 in its continuing quest to ensure tax revenues from the voter-approved one-cent sales tax are used appropriately.

The Lake County Board of County Commissioners established the committee in 2002 to guarantee that citizens' tax dollars were being spent correctly. The committee meets twice a year.

At its scheduled meeting, the oversight committee reviewed all one-cent sales tax expenditures from the 2003-2004 fiscal year. The committee accepted all the expenditures and made sure each complied with the statutory and referendum guidelines that outline the specific uses of the one-cent sales tax revenues.

The committee is comprised of two members each, appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, the School Board, and the League of Cities, as well as representation of two constitutional officers.

Lake County citizens voted to extend the one-cent sales surtax for a second 15-year term in 2001. The additional one-cent sales tax benefits Lake County Government, the School Board and municipalities in the County.

Proceeds from the tax may be used for a variety of purposes including improving infrastructure, acquiring public recreation or conservation lands, or purchasing fixed capital expenditures or outlay associated with the construction or improvement of public facilities.